City Boy

City Boy (2009) by Jan Michael. 186 pages.
ISBN: 978-0-547223-10-0

After his mother is buried, Sam's relatives discuss where he should live. The 'Disease' has taken both his parents, leaving him an orphan. His aunt convinces everyone he should live with her in Mandingwe, Malawi. They leave the city and take a rickety bus to the bus.

Sam moves into a mud hut occupied by his two cousins, a family friend and his aunt. There's no electricity, no computer, no running water, no bed. He also has to share his stuff and sleep on a floor mat. His life has changed drastically and not all of the new relationships develop easily.

Dealing with his grief and wistful of his amai (mom), Sam clings to the blue shoes she gave him. He searches for ways to connect with his amai, finding help from others along the way.

Predictably, Sam adjusts to his life in the country and discovers what comprises a family. Contrasts between city and country life are evident in the story, with the city view of people in the bush being "ignorant", village children envious of Sam's shoes and the limited technology available in the country. This is a simple, straight forward story that deals with serious topics - the death of parents, being an orphan, the devastation of AIDS and the humanity of life. Mingled throughout the text are Chichewa words and phrases, such as Muli bwanje (Hello, how are you?), Ndili bwino, kaia inu (I'm well, if you are well.) Appropriate for 11 to 13 year olds.